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	Brief history of the American Romanian Orthodox Church Holy Trinity

His Grace Archbishop Nicolae elevated to the dignity of Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of the Americas

History of the Romanian American Orthodox Church "Holy Trinity"
Los Angeles, California
(Under the Jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas)

Introduction

The Holy Trinity Romanian American Orthodox Church in Los Angeles, California is under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Church in the Americas, or the "Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas" headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, United States of America, whose Hierarchs, led by His Holiness Metropolitan Dr. Nicolae Condrea, are part of the BOR Holy Synod ( www.mitropolia.us ).  

Since its founding and incorporation into the California Secretary of State in 1940, the Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church has functioned as an independent administrative institution, with the spiritual guidance of Bishop +Policarp Morusca, the first Hierarch of the Romanian Orthodox Missionary Diocese in America, under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Patriarchate, the Romanian Orthodox Church.

In 1975, the Romanian Orthodox Church "Holy Trinity" formally accepted integration into the Diocese of Vatra, canonically separated from the Mother Church since 1951, due to the establishment of communism in Romania, on the condition that, after the fall of the communist dictatorship in Romania, the ROEA Diocese would return to the Mother Church, through union with the Missionary Archdiocese of America, the only canonical ecclesiastical authority of the Romanian Orthodox Church in America, for the purpose of forming a Romanian Orthodox Metropolis in America, under the auspices of the Romanian Patriarchate.

Administrative and spiritual organization

The Romanian Orthodox Parish "Holy Trinity" of Los Angeles was founded in 1926 and officially registered in California in 1940 as an independent ecclesiastical organization, under the spiritual guidance of Bishop Policarp Morușca. In 1975 the parish conditionally adopted the ROEA Constitution, and in 2022 it reintegrated into the Mother Church, the Metropolia of ROME.

Since 1982, under the pastorate of Father Constantin Alecse, the community has experienced a significant consolidation of religious and cultural life. Parish activities have included regular liturgical services, Sunday school and adult catechesis courses, cultural and social events, publications such as the magazine "Christian Life", and artistic collaborations with Romanian and American musicians.

Through the devotion of the clergy and the faithful, "Holy Trinity" has performed thousands of services and preserved the traditional Orthodox order, establishing itself as a nucleus of Romanian identity and spiritual communion for Romanians in Southern California, harmoniously integrating Orthodox tradition with the realities of life in America.

Holy Trinity Church, after 1989

The events of December 1989 changed not only the destiny of Romania, but also the pulse of the Romanian diaspora everywhere. For the "Holy Trinity" Church in Los Angeles, the early 1990s marked a period of transition, resettlement and redefinition of its role in the life of the community. If before the Revolution, the parish was a true "Little Romania", the spiritual and cultural center of the Romanians in southern California, after 1990, with the regained freedom in the country, the priorities of many parishioners changed — their support and attention turned to the churches and families back home.

This natural transformation brought with it a gradual decline in participation in traditional parish activities—the monthly meals, picnics, carols, and cultural events that once animated the entire community. Many Romanians traveled more frequently within the country, and young people, raised in America, were integrating into a different social context. Nevertheless, the church continued its mission, keeping the flame of faith, language, and ancestral traditions alive, even in the face of major changes in the post-revolutionary diaspora.

Over the past decades, the "Holy Trinity" Church has remained a symbol of Romanian identity, a place of prayer and continuity, which, despite historical transformations, has known how to adapt, renew itself and preserve in the hearts of believers the holy connection with the nation and with the mother Church of Romania.

Up-to-date Heritage of Holy Trinity
Signed by Eddie Rastian, President of the Parish Council

Over the course of its eight decades of existence, the development of the heritage of the Romanian Orthodox Church "Holy Trinity" in Los Angeles has been an uninterrupted process of sacrifice, dedication and community vision. Since 1940, the founding members laid the foundations of a sustainable institution, managing to provide a space of its own for Romanian liturgical and cultural life in California through the purchase of the first property (1941) and later the current location on Verdugo Road (1950). The construction of the Romanian Parish Center, in 1960, became a symbol of the unity and perseverance of Romanians overseas, a true "home of the nation" in California.

The 1980s and 1990s brought a period of artistic and spiritual flourishing under the pastorate of Father Constantin Alecse. The monumental mosaic "The Baptism of the Lord", the bringing of the Holy Relics of Saints Prov and Andronicus, the interior mural painting, the new iconostasis and the entire furniture, carved in solid wood, donated in 1999, enriched the church, transforming it into a true place of prayer and sacred beauty. Through the generous contribution of the Matei–Himber and Șimonca families, the interior of the church acquired an exceptional artistic character, in harmony with the Romanian Orthodox tradition.

During the period 2022–2025, under the omophorion of His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan Nicolae, the parish has experienced remarkable administrative, financial and patrimonial consolidation. Thanks to the generous contributions of the Anca Maria Fanous family, worth approximately $2 million, as well as the taking over of the inheritance of the Mihai and Eufrosina Ipsilanti family — consisting of five properties valued at approximately $3 million — the Parish Council has managed to ensure a solid material base and a sustainable future for the community. The complete remodeling of the parish complex on Verdugo Road, the modernization of the buildings and investments in energy efficiency have led to an increase in the total value of the patrimony to approximately $7–8 million, with liquid assets of over half a million dollars and a stable monthly rental income of between $14,000 and $15,000.

These achievements are the fruit of the collaboration between the clergy and the faithful, of the tireless work of the Parish Council and of the generosity of our community. The heritage of the Church of the Holy Trinity is not just a sum of properties, but a living legacy, in which the faith, unity and love of the Romanian Orthodox in California are found. With gratitude and hope, we look to the future, confident that this church will continue to be a beacon of light and Romanian identity on the west coast of America.

Educational, cultural, social and religious activities

Antoaneta Rastian – Cultural Director and President of the HORA Society

Under the aegis of the Romanian Orthodox Church "Holy Trinity" in Los Angeles, the Romanian community in Southern California has carried out a complex pastoral, cultural and educational activity for almost 45 years. Under the pastorate of Father Constantin, the parish placed special emphasis on the religious formation of children, youth and adults, through Sunday School, biblical and theological competitions, such as the "Bible Bowl", bringing prestige to the community and strengthening moral values ​​and an authentic Christian character.

The cultural and traditional life of the parish was a central pillar, with Christian celebrations, carol concerts, Easter meals, processions, exhibitions and historical evocations being organized, as well as Romanian festivals and various social activities. The constant involvement of the HORA Society and volunteers strengthened the cohesion of the community, cultivating the spirit of communion and the transmission of Christian-Orthodox values. Over the years, the parish has received visits from prominent personalities of Romanian culture, politics and art, such as His Majesty King Michael, President Emil Constantinescu, Senator Ion Rațiu, poet Grigore Vieru, conductors Sergiu Celibidache and Marin Constantin, as well as numerous artists and choral and folk groups from Romania, America and Canada.

The magazine "Christian Life", the official publication of the parish, with a history of 40 years, reflects the entire spiritual, pastoral, cultural and administrative life of the community. The publication includes sermons, meditations, activity reports, educational programs and information about religious services, printed both in physical and virtual format.

In recent years, 2022–2025, the parish has experienced a significant revitalization of cultural and educational activities under the coordination of the HORA Society. The reactivation of the Sunday School, the involvement of young people in liturgical and cultural life, as well as the holding of lessons on religion, history and Romanian culture have consolidated an active and participatory educational framework. Young people have contributed directly to the services during Lent, Passion Week and the Holy Holidays of the Resurrection, participating in the reading of prayers, the singing of the prohod and the arrangement of the church decor, thus testifying to the continuity of tradition and the service of Christ.

Ladies' Reunion and the Armenian/Macedonian Association
Mary Comboianu, president of both organizations

Under her leadership, Mary Comboianu, as president of the Ladies' Reunion and the "California Aromanian Community" Association, the Ladies' Reunion carried out its activity, in close collaboration with the HORA Cultural Society and with the support of the Parish Council of the Romanian-American Orthodox Church "Holy Trinity" in Los Angeles. Through its constant involvement, the Ladies' Reunion contributed to preserving the Romanian and Aromanian community spirit in the diaspora and to the smooth running of parish life.

Among our main activities are the organization of monthly parish agapes and meals, as well as moments of communion at the end of special services, including Holy Communion. We were actively involved during Lent, in the preparation and decoration of the places on the occasion of the great Christian holidays – Easter, Christmas, Imperial Holidays – as well as at funerals and commemorations. We also constantly monitored the maintenance and beautification of the church and parish buildings, in order to provide a dignified and beautiful setting for liturgical and cultural events.

Another essential objective was to promote and involve the Aromanian community in parish life, through social activities, cultural projects and collaborations with other organizations. We also dedicated ourselves to supporting Romanian and Aromanian heritage, leveraging social networks, dedicated websites and occasional programs aimed at strengthening the spiritual, moral and cultural identity of our community.

Through these initiatives, the Ladies' Reunion manages to combine faith, tradition and philanthropy, contributing significantly to the spiritual, cultural and social dynamics of the "Holy Trinity" Parish and to the affirmation of Romanian and Aromanian identity in the American diaspora.

Liturgical services and the celebration of major holidays

Over the decades, the Romanian Orthodox Church “Holy Trinity” in Los Angeles has marked each holiday in the synaxarion with solemn services and special cultural programs, with a special emphasis on Easter, Christmas, the Feast of the Church and New Year’s Eve. These events combined Orthodox rituals with Romanian traditions, including the plugușorul, the capra and the buhaiul, and were accompanied by festive banquets, carols, parades and artistic programs performed by renowned Romanian performers and ensembles, such as the Romanian Rhapsodia, Sofia Vicoveanca, Romica Puceanu or the Radu Goldiș Orchestra.
In recognition of the efforts of the youth and active believers, each major holiday included recognition ceremonies, awarding diplomas and certificates for participation in parish activities, Sunday school, choir, dance, theatre and involvement in church service. Thus, the celebrations were not only liturgical moments, but also true community manifestations, which united the parish members spiritually and culturally.

In addition to annual celebrations, the church has also organized memorable anniversaries, such as the Golden Jubilee (1989), the 60th (1999), the 65th (2004), the 80th (2019), and the 85th (2025) under the patronage of His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan Nicolae. These events included anniversary services, festive receptions, extensive cultural programs, and fundraising for community development projects, reflecting the parish’s ongoing commitment to tradition and the future.

In parallel, the parish maintained a constant connection with the parishioners through services, sermons, magazines, online websites and pastoral visits, thus ensuring efficient communication and continuous spiritual support. This sustained activity, combined with the respect for traditions and the development of the heritage, consolidated “Holy Trinity” as a center of Orthodox light and Romanian identity on the West Coast of America.

Participation in pan-Orthodox religious activities

Over the years, the archpriest has represented the Romanian Orthodox Church in America with dignity and devotion in various interparish, ecumenical and civic activities. By participating in services, conferences, missionary meetings and pan-Orthodox actions, he has strengthened the image of the “Holy Trinity” parish in Los Angeles as a living center of communion and dialogue between sister Orthodox Churches and between the various Christian denominations in the United States. The priest has been invited to offer prayers at the works of the Los Angeles City Council and to participate in television programs such as Religion in Today’s World , alongside representatives of other denominations.

On a pan-Orthodox level, the “Holy Trinity” parish has consistently participated in the Sunday Vespers of Orthodoxy, organized annually in various cathedrals in Southern California, together with believers from over 20 jurisdictions. These meetings have strengthened the unity of faith and the confession of Orthodoxy in the multicultural Western context. In the same missionary spirit, the priest has served in numerous Romanian communities in North America — in Portland, Seattle, Sacramento, San Jose, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Pomona, Anaheim and San Diego — supporting the organization and strengthening of Romanian parishes on the Pacific Coast.

Patriotic and protocol actions

The Romanian Orthodox Parish "Holy Trinity" in Los Angeles has, over the years, paid special attention to celebrating the great moments of Romanian history and culture. Anniversaries such as the Unification of Bessarabia with the Motherland, Independence Day, Monarchy Day or the Unification of Transylvania with Romania have been marked with Special Services of Thanksgiving, cultural programs and patriotic recitals, under the sign of respect and gratitude towards the ancestors.

The parish was also the host and participant of numerous prestigious events, receiving prominent figures of Romanian religious and cultural life, such as Their Majesties King Michael I and Queen Anne, Prof. Dr. Emil Constantinescu, poet Grigore Vieru, the "Madrigal" Choir, or Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. These presences consolidated the parish's status as a landmark of Orthodox unity, missionary service, and the confession of the Romanian faith and identity in the diaspora.

In addition to celebrating major holidays, the parish supported the Romanian community in difficulty, offering material, moral and religious aid, facilitating integration into American society and supporting people in need. Involvement in civic and cultural activities, from municipal and county councils to participation in TV broadcasts and public events such as the "Sunrise Service" at the Hollywood Bowl, contributed to the visibility and respect of the Romanian community.

Through faith, culture and charity, the "Holy Trinity" parish strengthened the Romanian community's connection to its roots and values, cultivating love of country, respect for traditions and care for fellow citizens in suffering. Each celebration and gesture of solidarity represented a living testament to the Romanian spirit in the diaspora.

Chronological events

In its 85 years of existence, the Holy Trinity parish has been served by 6 priests:  

• Father Martin Ionescu (1940-1947)

• Father Grigore Coste (1948-1957)

• Father Victor Barbulescu (1957-1969)

• Father Anchidim Ușeriu (1970-1971)

• Rev. Richard Grabowski (1971-1982)

• Fr. Constantin Alecse (1982 to present, 2026), that is, for 44 years, the equivalent of half of the life and history of the parish.

During the years 1984-2014, as parish priest and archpriest, Father Constantin Alecse worked with all his dedication for the good of the parish and the restoration of fraternal and ecclesiastical unity, including administrative unity, of Romanians and Romanian-Americans on the American Continent.

After the historical events of December 1989, the fall of the communist dictatorship in Romania, Father Constantin Alecse was part, along with 12 other clergymen, 5 out of 6 of whom were archpriests, of the initiative committee for restoring the unity of the Romanian Orthodox brothers, through the union of the 2 Romanian dioceses in America and Canada, and the formation of a Romanian Orthodox Metropolis in these lands.

This register also includes the visit to Romania, in 1994, of the delegation of the diocese of Vatra, at the invitation of His Beatitude Teoctist, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church. On this occasion, the restoration of the unity of the Romanian Orthodox brothers in the 2 Americas, and the necessity of forming, through the merger of the 2 Romanian dioceses in America, a Romanian Metropolis, was informally discussed at the highest level. In this regard, with the blessing of the Romanian Patriarchate, a Mixed Dialogue Commission was formed, led by the Hierarchs of the 2 dioceses in America, which functioned between 1995 and 2011, and which worked intensively for the formation of Romanian Orthodox Metropolises in America.

In 2011, for unexplained reasons, the leadership of the diocese of Vatra unilaterally decided to withdraw, and implicitly dissolve, the Joint Dialogue Commission of the 2 Dioceses of America ROEA/ROME.

The Holy Trinity Parish rightly felt betrayed by the ROEA, considering that in 1975 it had accepted the acquiescence of the Hierarch of the Romanian Homeland, on the condition that after the fall of communism in Romania, the entire diocese would return to the Mother Church, through the formation of a Romanian Orthodox Metropolis in America, under the auspices of the Romanian Patriarchate. In protest, the parish priest did not participate in any Congress of the ROEA Diocese after 2011. After this date, a real tension was felt more and more, from year to year, between the Holy Trinity Parish and the ROEA Diocese.

In 2016, the Romanian Orthodox Church continued the process of establishing the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas, which would encompass the two dioceses: the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the United States of America and the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, leaving the door open for the Diocese of Vatra to return home when it wishes, and God wills.

On April 30, 2017, at the official installation ceremony of His Holiness Dr. +Nicolae, as Metropolitan of the Metropolis of ROME, in Chicago, the Holy Trinity Church was represented by a delegation consisting of members of the parish council, the “Aromanians of California” Association, and the HORA Society.

Archpriest Constantin Alecse - Publishing activity

Throughout his more than fifty years of priestly service, Protopresbyter Constantin Alecse has enriched his pastoral activity with an impressive publishing activity, aimed at transmitting the values ​​of the Orthodox faith, traditions and Romanian culture. His three-volume autobiographical book, "The Power of Faith" , represents a living testimony of his spiritual and existential journey, from the child of a "peasant's chicken" to the missionary of the faith in the Romanian diaspora in England and the United States.

The three volumes – "Among Angels and Demons" , "The Missionary" , "Backstage of Pastoral Life" and "Blue Planet - Traditions and Customs Around the Globe" (three volumes) – capture the stages of priestly formation and activity, but also reflections on religious and cultural traditions worldwide.

His editorial activity also expanded through collaborations with engineer Mircea Iordache, with whom he produced documentary works and monographs dedicated both to the Romanian communities in California, such as "Romanians in California - Illustrated Encyclopedia" (in collaboration with Prof. Dan Fornade), and to his native villages, through "Monograph of the Village of Dâmbroca" and "Săgeata: Zbor prin vremuri - Monographic Pages" . In these works, historical, geographical and cultural documentation is rigorously combined with a poetic style, constantly maintained in the volumes of Archpriest Constantin Alecse, emphasizing education, faith and traditions.

Father Constantin Alecse continued his mission to spread Christian teachings and reflections through works such as "Cugetări Creștine – Lumina Credinței" , true balms for the souls of readers, but also through collaborations with engineer Mircea Iordache, among which the books "Cosmosul și Iubirea" and "Labirintul educații" stand out . These works explore the evolution of education throughout history, from prehistory to the present, offering a synthesis of documentation on educational development and its impact on the formation of a healthy and moral society. Through an approach that combines the religious vision with scientific and poetic reflections on the universe and man's place in creation, the authors manage to offer readers both an intellectual and spiritual perspective on the meaning of education and life.

All these publications were complemented by their involvement in the parish magazine “Viața Creștină” , but also through websites and online platforms dedicated to the religious and cultural education of the Romanian-American community.

Thus, through a unique combination of personal testimony, cultural research and spiritual reflection, Father Constantin Alecse and his collaborator Mircea Iordache created a valuable body of work, intended to preserve and transmit to future generations the Romanian faith, traditions and identity in the diaspora. Their book and projects remain a benchmark for understanding Orthodox missionary life and the role of education and culture in maintaining community unity [website: www.constantinalecse.com].

Dean of the Pacific Coast Deanery [ROEA Diocese]

In his capacity as archpriest of the Protopresbyter of the Pacific Coast Deanery of ROEA Diocese, for three decades Father Constantin served the Church with full dedication, like a “faithful soldier” and “devoted firefighter”, always ready to put out the “fires” that arose in the life of parishes in western America. Whenever he was called, he responded without hesitation, with love for the Church and without pursuing any material benefit. In all these years he never received any pecuniary reward for his activity as archpriest, and his travels and contributions were often made from his own resources, as a sacrifice of faith and obedience to the entrusted ministry.

The Deanery of the Pacific Coast was established in 1984, by the decision of the diocesan Hierarch of the Vatra Românească, who, at the beginning of his archpastoral ministry, wanted a reorganization of the diocese for better pastoral coordination. Then Father Constantin was appointed Dean of the new Deanery, which initially included the parishes of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix and Dallas. What was supposed to be a "temporary" mission turned into an uninterrupted work of thirty years, during which the the Deanery and its Dean, became a true laboratory of church and missionary life, in which priests and believers worked together to strengthen the Romanian faith on American soil.

Over the decades, the Deanery has expanded to six states—California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington—from four communities to eighteen parishes, missions, and a monastery. In 2014, by decision of the ROEA Episcopal Congress, this structure was reorganized as the “Vicariate of the Western States,” marking the end of a fruitful period of service for Father Constantin in the mission as Dean of the Pacific Coast Deanery.

Historical Milestones and Special Anniversaries

Under the pastorate of Father Constantin Alecse, numerous jubilee anniversaries were organized, intended to strengthen the identity and collective memory of the parish:

• 50 years – November 7, 1989

• 60 years old – November 8, 1999

• 65 years old – November 7, 2004

• 70 years old – June 7, 2009

• 75 years – June 8, 2014

• 80 years – June 16, 2019 (event marked by the launch of the encyclopedia "Romanians in California")

• 85 years old – Nov. 2, 2025, under the presidency of His Eminence Metropolitan Dr. Nicolae Condrea, Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas.

So, from our point of view, this anniversary is the most important because we, the clergy and parishioners of our parish, "returned home" 3 years ago, and were embraced fraternally, and received with much love by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae, the clergy and parishes of our Holy Metropolis. Many thanks, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae.

In the years after 2011, the interruption of the dialogue of the Mixed Commission of the 2 Romanian dioceses in America, and especially after the 80th anniversary of the church in 2019, the tension between the Holy Trinity Parish and the ROEA Diocese went on an upward path, reaching its climax when the Hierarchs from Vatra threatened the parish with legal action for disobedience and parish actions without blessing.

On September 15, 2022, the Hierarchy of Vatra retired without reason, against his will, Archpriest Constantin Alecse, the parish priest of the church for 40 years, and continued its tactic of intimidation of the church leadership, the parish council and even the church faithful, now left without their pastor.

The Special Assembly's Decision to Return to the Mother Church

[Sunday, October 30, 2022]

In light of the events described above and considering that the promises to restore the unity of the Romanian Orthodox brothers in America, promises made to our parish in 1975 and clearly violated, by the dissolution of the Joint Dialogue Commission of the 2 Romanian dioceses in America, after years of prayer, deep meditation, and a long and thorough analysis of the events of the last few years, as well as the fact that the relations between the parish of Holy Trinity and the ROEA eparchy had deteriorated considerably in the last decade, the Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church of Los Angeles decided by unanimous vote, Sunday, October 30, 2022, within the Special Parish Assembly, to make an "Amendment and Restated Articles of Incorporation" - Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation - and to request Metropolitan Nicolae to be accepted under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas. At the said meeting, with a presence of 62 members (all paying members between January 1 and October 30, 2022), and adjacent lists signed by over 250 "committees", in its 2 sessions, approximately 2:30 hours of debates, the community voted unanimously, with no opposition or abstention, to enter under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas, under the High Omophore of His Holiness, Archbishop and Metropolitan Dr. Nicolae Condrea.

Official appcentance into the Metropolia

On November 11, 2022, the Metropolitan Council of ROMA, after an edifying interview with representatives of the Holy Trinity parish, decided to accept the parish “Holy Trinity Romanian American Orthodox Church” [HTRAOC], under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the United States of America, one of the Dioceses of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas, under the High Omophore of His Holiness, Archbishop and Metropolitan Dr. Nicolae Condrea.

Father Viorel Visovan, co-minister - A few months after our parish was accepted into the Metropolis, Father Viorel Vasile Visovan received the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae to serve in our church as a co-minister priest. Since then, for almost three years, since the parish has been under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas, Father Viorel has been serving with piety and devotion alongside Father Constantin, contributing to the smooth running of the liturgical and pastoral life of the community. On behalf of the Church, Father Constantin thanks Father Viorel for his fraternal service, for his availability and dedication, as well as for the support offered in emergency situations or whenever the parish priest was absent from the locality, fulfilling with responsibility and order all that is necessary for priestly service.

Three years under the omophorion of His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan Nicolae

(2022–2025)

Representation activities at some events of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas - Three years have passed since, through the mercy and care of God, the Romanian-American Orthodox Parish "Holy Trinity" in Los Angeles came under the protection and omophorion of His Eminence Father Nicolae, Archbishop of the United States of America and Metropolitan of the Americas.

This period (2022–2025) was for me, as a minister of the altar, and for the entire community I shepherd, a time of spiritual renewal, of rapprochement with the Mother Church - the Romanian Patriarchate, and of fraternal communion with fellow priests from throughout the Metropolis.

Through the blessing and guidance of our hierarchs, I had the joy of participating in several priestly meetings and moments of ecclesiastical unity, which strengthened the sense of belonging to the family of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas.

Additional notes

* History of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese and Metropolis in America - The first Romanian Orthodox communities in America appeared in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially in the industrial cities of the United States and in the mining areas of Canada, formed by Romanian immigrants seeking work and a better life. They felt the need for a Romanian-language pastorate and a canonical organization that would preserve their religious and cultural identity.
In 1929, through the efforts of the Romanian communities and the hierarchs of Romania, the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America was established, under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Patriarchate, with the aim of coordinating the activities of Romanian parishes and promoting the Orthodox faith among the Romanian diaspora. Over the decades, the archdiocese grew and expanded, establishing Sunday schools, cultural organizations, and missionary programs for the preservation of traditions and the religious education of new generations.
In 1980, in order to better respond to the pastoral needs of the Romanian communities throughout North and South America, the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas was established, uniting the dioceses of the United States, Canada, and Latin America under a single administrative structure, under the leadership of a Metropolitan elected by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. This allowed for better coordination of missionary, liturgical, educational, and cultural activities, as well as the representation of Romanian Orthodoxy internationally.
Today, the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas continues to be a point of reference for Orthodox Romanians in the diaspora, supporting parishes, cultural organizations, educational programs, and missionary actions, keeping the Romanian religious and cultural identity alive on the American continent.

* History of the Romanian Orthodox Church and the establishment of the Patriarchate - The second half of the 19th century marks fundamental moments for Romania and the Romanian Orthodox Church: the Union of the Principalities (1859), the War of Independence (1877-1878), the proclamation of the Kingdom (1881) and the recognition of the Church's autocephaly (1885). These events consolidated the Church's position in the state, preparing the ground for its future elevation to the rank of Patriarchate. The struggle for autocephaly began during the reign of Alexandru Ioan Cuza and was materialized through laws and canonical decisions, including the establishment of the Holy Synod and the proclamation of the Metropolitan of Hungary and Wallachia as Primate of Romania.
After the Great Union of 1918, the Romanian Orthodox Church was faced with the need for a unitary organization, in order to integrate the reunited provinces, each with its own church structure. The priestly congresses of Sibiu and Sinaia in 1919, together with the Church Constituent Assembly of Bucharest (1920-1921), established the principles of unification and prepared the legal framework for the creation of the Patriarchate, based on the Shagunian Statute.
The reopening of the Patriarchate issue took place in 1924-1925, through the proposal of Metropolitan Pimen and the support of prominent personalities such as Nicolae Iorga and members of the government. In February 1925, the Holy Synod officially decided on the establishment of the Patriarchate, elevating the Metropolitan of Ungro-Vlachia, Miron Cristea, to the rank of Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The law was adopted by Parliament in the same month, and the investiture and enthronement of the Patriarch took place on November 1, 1925.
The international recognition of the Romanian Patriarchate was achieved through the Tomos issued by the Ecumenical Patriarchate on July 30, 1925 and through correspondence with the other Patriarchates and sister Orthodox Churches, thus the Romanian Church becoming a recognized and respected member of the international Orthodox family.

* California Aromanian Community Group Association - On the 65th anniversary of the church (November 7, 2004), at the festive banquet, where the vast majority of participants were members of the Aromanian community, the establishment of a cultural association of the Aromanians of California was initiated. Shortly after this, a committee was elected under the presidency of Nicolae Sadrapeli. Currently, the president of the association is Mrs. Mary Comboianu [ www.aromaniidincalifornia.com ]

* Heritage Organization of Romanian Americans [HORA] - By the vote of the members of the " Aromanians of California " Association and the EOHF Foundation , on June 7, 2019, the "Heritage Organization of Romanian Americans" Society was established, a Nonprofit Society, registered in 2024 with the California Secretary of State. President: Antoaneta Rastian.

* Some mass-media and social-media accounts moderated by Father Constantin

The Main Church account - HTRAOC - www.biserica.org

• Aromaniens in California - www.aromaniidincalifornia.com

• Aromaniens in California - www.facebook.com/groups/aromaniidincalifornia

• Aromanians/Macedonian Music: www.rumble.com/c/c-6879110

• Contemporary Issues: www.rumble.com/c/contemporaryissues

• Contemporary Challenges: www.rumble.com/c/c-6375476

• Carols [Romanian Christmas]: www.rumble.com/c/c-6644861

• English-Channel: www.rumble.com/c/HTRAOC

• HORA website - www.HORAsociety.com

• HTRAOC: Documentaries: www./rumble.com/c/Biserica

• HTRAOC on FaceBook: www.facebook.com/Biserica.Romaneasca

• Romanian-Channel: www.rumble.com/c/SfantaTreime

• Romanii din California - www.romaniidincalifornia.com

• Romanii din California [FB] - www.facebook.com/groups/romaniidincalifornia

Archpriest Constantin Alecse, parish priest

CV - www.constantinalecse.com